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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/9/2008 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I saw the doctor yesterday and asked for some tips on managing active, severe Crohn's now that I can't be on Humira for a while.

"Take Imodium," he said.

"But I've never been allowed to take it before..."

Guess what? I am now.

Are there any tips for using Imodium if you have active Crohn's? How many hours before leaving the house / travelling should I take it? Do you redose while you're out of the house? Does it give you a really awful, painful bm once the drug wears off? Are there any other things I should know?

And does Imodium count as a "yes" in the CDAI question about whether you've had to take medication for d?

Thanks, all. I'm trying to find this information on the net, but most of it seems to be directed at healthy people, and the relevant pages are taking forever to load because I have a slow net connection.

Thanks heaps,

Ivy.
Posted 9/9/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

I was on Immodium 8x a day when my Crohn's was active.  I still take it before work as a crutch.  I would take it with breakfast, lunch, dinner, then right before bed (hoping it would help my mornings go just a little smoother).

I still had BM's so that wasn't an issue.  Sometimes it would cause me to have loose BM right after I took it and then it would kick in.  I think that was just me though... :-)

I don't know the answer to the "CDAI question" question.  Hope that helps a little!

Hope your well soon! ((((HUGS))) and prayers!

Posted 9/9/2008 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
If I think Im going to have a poopy day I take it after the first bowel movement. Getting that first one out helps reduce the cramping one can get. I take two extra strength and if I need more I take it. I usually go to the bathroom fine 1 or 2 days later.
Posted 9/9/2008 4:04 AM (GMT 0)

I just recently started taking immodium due to a difficult boss. I was scared I would be constipated. Funny huh? I took two extra strength after my first loose bm and I didn't go until the next day and I was normal (for me) again. It actually made it slightly more solid than usual. I like to keep some at work just in case. I don't take it daily. Only when my bum is getting sore or I am not in the mood to be in the bathroom 15 times a day. 

I hope this helps.

Hugs,

Kgirlie

Posted 9/9/2008 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
I take it if I know I am going to be out all day, if I'm doing anything special, if I'm working, so I take it most days. That and bentyl. That's my one-two punch to the D and it works. My doctor told me it was ok to take and asked how many I take. I said 6 in a day, usually within 3 hours (only if I need that much, sometimes only 2 will work) and he said that was 'a reasonable' dose. It's cheap (I buy generic), it works, and no side effects. I can always go the next day. It doesn't cure Crohn's or even help it, but it definitely helps the symptoms!
Posted 9/9/2008 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken it when I was at my worst, but it didn't seem to help. Sorry!

Cheers
Posted 9/9/2008 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
I use immodium if I am at all worried about having a bad stomach day. I take 2 tablets and then will take more as needed thoughout the day. Also, I almost always take them if I am going to be in the car for longer than a 30 minute ride. The longest I have ever went without going to the bathroom after a full day of immodium was 2 days. Do you all use the name brand of this product? We have dollar general stores around me and their brand of the tablets seem to work just as well for me. Do you mind me asking why you weren't allowed to take them before? Was it due to your other medications?
Posted 9/9/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor said I could take up to eight a day. I take about 4 in the morning and 2 at night. If I cheat and eat something I shouldn't have or just am going more than usual I will increase the night dose. The doctors also have given me the Qestran, but I find I have no side effects from the immodium and the side effects of the Questran are worse than the D as far as I am concerned. So it is our compromise. It really just slows things down a bit, never stops it.
Posted 9/9/2008 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
All my life I have tried to take as little medication as possible...two reasons 1) so when i need it it will work more effectively and 2) because less meds in my book are a good thing....

...NOW THAT SAID...and only as a way to possibly explain why Imodium is a last resort for me.

I take 1/2 of a caplet and I am bound for at least a day usually two...I hate the feeling that comes with this...bloated, tight, full....I can not imagine ever taking a whole dose at one time...the most I have ever taken is a 1/2 pill 3x in one day.  that was a big mistake.   Mostly I take a 1/2 pill before I board any flights over 4 hours.

My usual day consists of 10 to 15 trips BR per day...the Imodium just completely shuts me down to zero trips.

I feel I am an exception (especially after reading the previous posts) but I would warn you to start out slow....do 1/2 doses before you fully dose...see how your body reacts.

Good luck

Posted 9/9/2008 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all that advice. So, in a nutshell:

1. Take it in the mornings after I've had a bm or two, just to get some of the stuff out of my system
2. Try a half-dose first, just to see what happens.

hm, I have no idea why I've never been allowed to take it before. My docs always said no, absolutely not, without explaining themselves :-), and, obedient soul that I am, I just did as they said.

I.
Posted 9/9/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Also keep in mind that I have had several resections so I'm dealing with a lot less bowel. So my dose is what works for my situation, so yes starting at a low dose and working your way up so to speak is a good idea.
Posted 9/9/2008 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
Imodium plugs me right up, and it is usually a couple of days before I'm able to relieve myself, but it sure helps the symptoms. I only use it for special occassions when I'm not going to be able to get to a bathroom consistently.

As for why you were told not to take it, I'm guessing it due to the risk of toxic mega-colon. Your body just keeps allowing stuff to impact in your small intestine, building up the gas and solids, possibly leading to an explosion! Rather uncomfortable I'd guess if it happened to you. I guess that is what could be called the **** hitting the fan!
Posted 9/10/2008 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I take two a day, in the morning. Between that and the Questran, it does the trick.
Posted 9/10/2008 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting this Ivy, I was wondering the same thing, as my gastro suggested taking the Imodium too. I have bought the pack but am yet to try it, will follow some of the suggestions raised here.
Jo
Posted 9/10/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I always use just 1 pill and it will stop everything for that day only. The next morning I am back to normal. I think the good idea is to go a few times first then take it. Good luck!
Posted 9/10/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Great. Thanks, all. I'll get a packet next time I'm at the pharmacy.

Jo, will you tell me how it works for you?

I.
Posted 9/10/2008 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Will do, let me know how you go as well.
Jo
Posted 9/17/2008 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
I guess for lack of a better term I take Immodium for "special occasions."

While it works in the short term, I find it has too many long-term repercussions.

Let me know how it goes.
Mer
Posted 9/17/2008 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
I usually take one in the morning and i'm good after that. Sure sometimes by the end of the day i might have to go again to the washroom but usually 1 pill in the morning does the trick.

Everyone is different, so sometimes it causes constipation even with one. So in that case i don't take any the next day.
Posted 9/17/2008 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried it yet Ivy?
Posted 9/17/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
No, not yet. I'm not flaring properly yet, and I feel nervous enough about the drug that I don't want to take it until I really need it.

Thanks for all the advice. Keep it coming!

I.
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